Robbie Keane, Ireland’s record goalscorer, has agreed a new contract with LA
Galaxy and, enthused by the appointment of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane,
intends to lead his country to the European Championship unless by then his
“legs are gone”.

Time is ticking away and, as the new manager put it, “I’d have liked a
23-year-old Robbie instead of a 64-year-old Robbie. That’s a problem.”

The home fixture against Latvia ushers in a fresh era for Ireland and O’Neill
is still revelling the “ten-minute honeymoon you get”.

His arrival, accompanied by the senior Keane, has energised a team who had